Deadly storms. An ancient curse. Will her sacrifice save them all?
For generations, deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curse them with death and despair. To appease him, each year a maiden is thrown into the sea, in the hopes that one day the ‘true bride’ will be chosen and end the suffering.
Many believe Shim Cheong – Mina’s brother’s beloved – to be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is sacrificed, Mina’s brother follows her, even knowing that to interfere is a death sentence. To save her brother, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead.
Swept away to the Spirit Realm, a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina finds the Sea God, trapped in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man and a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits, Mina sets out to wake him and bring an end to the storms once and for all.
But she doesn’t have much time: a human cannot live long in the land of the spirits. And there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking . . .
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a magical feminist retelling of a classic Korean legend, perfect for fans of Uprooted and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away.
‘Clever, creative, and exquisitely written’ Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of Caraval
‘A beautiful, mesmerizing retelling’ Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes
(P) 2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
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Reviews
With its captivating world-building, fast-paced story and cast of memorable characters, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea will charm, delight and surprise readers
A clever, creative, and exquisitely written tale of sacrifice, love, and fate
A beautiful, mesmerizing retelling I wish I'd had when I was growing up . . . A heartfelt tale that I will be recommending for years to come
A true jewel of a story that shines in the world of fantasy . . . This beautifully woven tale brimming with heart, spirit, and love is a dream you'll never want to end
Shim Cheong is Korea's most famous legend and one I've heard all my life, but as a feminist it has always been my least favorite. Axie's book retells the fairy tale and empowers the girl protagonist while still preserving the beloved classic tale, set in a fantastical world so unique and fascinating. I absolutely loved every word!
A sumptuous fairytale world to dive into full of whimsy and heart. Perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli!
[A] majestic magical marvel of a book
Nicely paced and beautifully written, this engrossing fantasy is packed with memorable characters, starting with the headstrong Mina, and including the mysterious Shin, with whom she becomes inexplicably tied . . . A perfect for fit readers who love Spirited Away
Oh weaves an intricate and engaging tale . . . Captivated readers will long to be pulled deeper into the story. A fantastical world to get lost in
A luscious and beautiful experience
Get ready to be swept into a world of gods, spirits, surprising twists, and mingled destinies. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a breathtaking cinematic fairy tale with a courageous heroine at its heart
Axie Oh's The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a beautifully written fantasy inspired by Spirited Away and steeped in Korean mythology. Lyrical prose, incredible world building, and a heroine worth rooting for - this story is everything and then some. A stunning feat of storytelling and an un-put-downable read. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Absolutely exquisite!
A tale brimming with love. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea will whisk you away on an entrancing journey through the most magical realm. Axie Oh's characters own my whole heart
'A wondrous, richly imagined tale of love, family, and sacrifice. Axie Oh's lyrical prose sweeps you into an extraordinary world of myth and legend, where gods of lore live and breathe, and one girl's determination to change her fate will capture your heart. Fans of Studio Ghibli will adore this magical story!
This YA fantasy is an enthralling mix of magic, romance, and high stakes, with lovely worldbuilding at its centre
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea captivated me with its depiction of a spirit realm rooted in Korean myth and moved me with the power of love and family in its story. A beautiful new favorite of mine!
A magical odyssey of gods, mythical beasts and enchanted spirits
A world deep down under the sea, a motley crew of demons and spirits, and a young girl willing to do anything to save her brother - a recipe for a great new fantasy
Majestic, magical marvel of a book
A soulful story with big-hearted characters and a truly whimsical setting, The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea offers readers a dose of pure fantasy escapism. Something we need now more than ever
At all times it's fanciful and vibrant, a love letter to the mythology of Oh's childhood... It's beautifully written, its poetry-tinged prose elevating it above other similarly themed YA novels
Swept me away to another world - an enchanting and lyrical tale, perfect for fans of Midnight in Everwood
Spellbinding
A lush, compassionate reimagining
A beautiful, poetic, heartfelt, and mesmerising retelling
Tender, precious feminist retelling of Korean The Tale of Shim Cheong ... An enigmatic, epic achievement
A breathtaking aquatic fantasy, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea mines mythology and folklore to tell the bewitching story of a slumbering sea god, a ritual sacrifice and a sweeping adventure to release a community from the grip of a sinister power
A modernised, mythological tale about fate and courage with a young heroine at the very heart of it. Oh's well-paced novel poses an intriguing and critical question for young adults - should we believe everything we hear? Oh's world is comprised of much more than just gods, spirits, and mythical creatures, it really gives the reader something to chew on after the final pages. Recommended for ages 13 to 17
A beautiful and enchanting re-telling of a Korean legend ... mesmerising